Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-04-06

The cornerstone of the new City
HILL is laid. and the 9Th OF April has
pa,sed into local history as landmark
IN the stretch Of time. The enthusiasm
Of the people was dust-defying and
wind-resisting. The pulvelized parti-
cles from the macadamized streets,
bone upon the persistent western gusts,
dropped into the eyes Of saint and SIN
ncr. maid and man, with strict Impair
taity. but il kept not a great many at
home II was grit against grit.
The sidewalks were packed with peo-
ple. Most Of the business-houses were
closed, and the streets OF residences,
except where the procession was to
pass. we're almost deserted Seeing
low all the peOple-nOt women and
children merely-enioy a parade, 1t is
wonder that they are not made to oc-
cur Oftener.
PRoNrPryEss.
bief-aIarshal n. V. Randolph was
as good as his word, and made the line
start off on time. Then commenced
the blasts Of the bugles, the rattling OF
the drums, the blowing OF the brass
horns. the waving of the flags, and a
mighty moving of the crowd to positions
where the pageant in all its glory might
be seen.
The absence of the Fire Department
was deplored. With all their uniform
ed men and all the glitter OF their ap-
paratus they would have made show
That in itself would have been well
worth seeing but as it was, the parade
vos a fine one. What with the sohd
platoons Of police, the brave display of
soldiery. white and colored, cavalry,
artillery. and infantry the nodding
plumes of the knights Templars, and
the bright regalia and imposing APP
pearance, also, of the other organlza-
tions. there was display worthy of the
occasion; worthy of our people.
THE PEOPLE.
Great masses of people greeted the
line from one end of its march to the
other. and when, having paraded some
Of the other principal thoroughfares, 1t
turued into Broad street to approach
tbe City-Hall lot, there was such a con-
eregation of RichmonderS and visitors
here as is seldom seen.
Old as well as young were out III large
numbers the ladies bountifully graced
the occasion with their presence, and
tho children. loOsed from school thai
they might enjoy the celebration, were
in GREAT ioy and glory, and were re-
ceiying impressions which will be very
agreeable TO them-when, in comine
time. they look upon the City Hall IL
all Of its grandeur.
IN THE THICK.
About the Ci.y-Hall lot, of course
the multitude was thickest. Kopes en-
circled ,he grounds aud the police KEEP
ont OF the enclosure according TO tn
orders given them) all persons but thos'
who had tickets of admission to the 1--WE
platforms and the raj ed seats. =,
When. however, at D L. NJ. th'
Nosons and their special escort-th.
Rlues-filed into the lot from the Capl
tol-street front and took the seats hel'
for them, all restrictions upon the grea
mbEc were removed. Asthe sea burst
over the lowlands when dyke give
way. these eager spirits dashed into ID
lot The young men and boys ieape'
from stone TO stone in the foundation
mtiI they got to places best suited 10
obseryation. The rapidity, not to 80.
reckJessness. with which this was don
and the scarcity OF accidents disclose
the fact that there is large amount
nimbleness in the average hichmon
youth.
rur opsKRyRp OF THR OBSERVERS.
In the northeast corner was tn
corner-stone its middle followed on
and then filed with the copper-box, con
tanning the coins. newspapers, &C, &c
mementoes of the folks OF the day
which they generously transmit to th
Richmonders of the future-say, IN
people Of five or SIX hundred year
hence. as there seems little doubt ths
the City Hall, when erected as proposed
will stand as long as mortal handiwor
can ever survive, and 1t Is improDaDl
that the day viii ever come when itwl
be deliberately pulled down, -,
In the excavation, and close TO Ia
cornerstone, was the platform Tor Ia
Masons. On the street-leycl and
front of the stone-cutters' shed on Broa
street was the platform and seats for 80
band and choir, and at the edge OF thi
platform facing Eleventh street an
Capitol street, facing the great congre
CATION. DIR. Hoge. Judge Wexford, an
Colonel j.. l.. Bass sat. To their lei
alongside Eleventh street. were tn
raised seats, occupied by Governor Lee
Lieutenant Governor Massey, numf
rous members of the Legislature, an
many dienataries OF the city, State, an
Federal Government, also q large nun
Der Of ladies and several newspaper n
portcrs.
THE EXERCISES.
The ceremonies consisted Of praye
by Dr Hoge. the due and solemn 70,
inQ OF the cornerstone by the Gran
Lodge Of Virginia according 70 70
time bonored ritual OF the Masons, an